Michael D. Maher, Ph.D., is the senior program advisor for the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute. He serves as a liaison with the Energy Forum and potential members; assists with the development of major research initiatives, coordinates meetings with foreign and U.S. government officials, focuses on U.S. energy policy and global natural gas markets, and conducts external communications about research in the Center for Energy Studies.

His volunteer activities include serving on the alumni advisory board for Rice University’s Center for Career Development, the dean’s advisory board for Rice’s School of Social Sciences, and the board of directors of the Association of Rice Alumni. Maher volunteers as a mentor for Rice students and recent alums, offering guidance as they plan a career, write resumes and prepare for job interviews.

He joined the institute in the summer of 2013 after a career at ExxonMobil of more than 30 years. Over the last decade, Maher coordinated public and government affairs for LNG projects in the U.S. and abroad; served as the public affairs manager for the Marine Well Containment Project, a joint venture aimed at providing the oil and gas industry with access to well containment equipment and technology for the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico; and held the position of upstream issue advisor on policy issues related to offshore drilling and production safety, natural gas, and U.S. LNG exports. He also held positions as a professional economist in corporate planning and as an analyst in natural gas planning and marketing in the U.S.

Maher received a B.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Rice University.

Contact at michael.maher@rice.edu or 713-348-2743.